Lars Peter Jorgensen (1850-1925)

JORGENSEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/5/2022 at 23:17:54

Lars Peter Jorgensen
(April 26, 1850 – July 12, 1925)

Among the representative farmers and highly respected citizens of Calhoun Township is numbered Mr. Jorgensen, who is familiarly called Peter by his numerous friends throughout the county. Here he has made his home since the 1st of January, 1881. He was born in Denmark, on the 26th of April, 1850, and was reared upon a farm. His school privileges being of a superior order, he received a good education in his native tongue, but his knowledge of the English language has been self-acquired since coming to the new world.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Jorgensen crossed the Atlantic und took up his residence in Chicago, where he spent two years, working as a mason's assistant during the building season. Subsequently he spent several years in Lee and Ogle counties, Illinois, as a farm hand, and in 1881 came to Calhoun County, Iowa, as previously stated. After one year in the employ of others, he bought eighty acres of his present farm on section 27, Calhoun Township, which was then but slightly improved, with a small house upon it. To its further development and cultivation Mr. Jorgensen at once turned his attention, and later added to it another tract of eighty acres, so that he now has a good farm of one hundred and sixtv acres.
He has built a more commodious and modern residence and good outbuildings: has set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place.
Mr. Jorgensen was married in this county April 5, 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Marie Rasmussen, also a native of Denmark, who was reared in that country and was a young lady on coming to
America. Prior to her marriage she made her home in Lake City. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen are members of the Baptist church of that place and are among the most highly esteemed citizens of their community. Politically he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. As a young man of twenty-two years he came to America, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. Success attended his well directed efforts and he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of his locality. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.295]